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Apple sues Samsung: a complete lawsuit analysis

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Re: Apple sues Samsung: a complete lawsuit analysis

#21

Post by kenjackson »

rsynnott wrote: post #20
kenjackson wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And displays and Flash. I recall at one point Samsung made 40% of the world's Flash memory.

Samsung doesn't make the iPhone or iPad display; LG does. There may at this point be others; certainly, people have noticed minor performance differences in some newer iPhone 4 displays.

http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-clinch-240m-ipad-display-co...

I don't know the details of if the deal broke last minute, but that's what I'd read.

UPDATE: More here -- http://www.slashgear.com/lg-and-samsung-ipad-screen-shipment...

Re: Apple sues Samsung: a complete lawsuit analysis

#23

Post by kenjackson »

cooldeal wrote: post #19
goatforce5 wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd have to assume that Apple was really comfortable with the terms of their component supply contracts with Samsung, and that Samsung can't find a way to get out of them at this point.

Why would Samsung want to get out of the contracts when they're making billions off them?

Because it could cost them even more. Apple is problematic for Samsung for two reasons: (1) This lawsuit and (2) Apple selling product that Samsung makes much higher margins on than displays and fabbing.

Samsung ends up being in a MUCH better place if Apple becomes a niche player and Android and/or Windows Phone become the dominant platforms.

If Samsung was able to get out of all contracts to Apple it could probably stall Apple's growth a bit. Not an enormous hit, but enough to help Android get some tablet strength and WP7 to get Mango out the door.

Given that Samsung is the premiere vendor of non-Apple phones and tablets, and given this market is much more lucrative than components, they may be willing to give up 4% of revenue in a powerplay.

With that said they probably have contracts through 2011. Although if they were late on delivering the product, they could probably deal with the penalties, since they're probably small in comparison.

Re: Apple sues Samsung: a complete lawsuit analysis

#24

Post by rodh257 »

Sounds like Samsung are going to have a tough job defending this. I imported a Galaxy S to Australia before they were release here and I had many people asking me if it was an iPhone, or just assuming I had an iPhone when they saw it. That's changed a bit now as they have been heavily marketed by all the phone carriers so more people know what they are.

Of course, if you inspect it closer, you'll notice the device is thinner, and the screen is larger and has more vibrant colours (particularly compared to the 3gs that it looks like), but on a quick glance you'd think it could be an iPhone.

Re: Apple sues Samsung: a complete lawsuit analysis

#25

Post by halo »

kenjackson wrote: post #2

Here's the LG Prada: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LG_prada_phone_private_pic... http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/12/15/the-lg-ke850-touchable... Announced Dec 2006. I'm not saying Samsung copied this phone, but if I was LG, I'd start to wonder. BTW, best article on the issue to date.

To be fair, the iPhone looks uncannily like the LG Prada. LG accused Apple of copying their design when they announced the iPhone.

The Samsung Galaxy S bears more than a passing resemblence to the LG Chocolate KG800 (http://www.muamat.com/adpics/4b98d2cc2ac18ee7579fe7516.jpg) from 2006.

Edit: Samsung announced the F700 in Febrary 2007, which is very similar to the Galaxy S in design (http://www.mobilephoneonly.co.uk/phonereviews/upload/samsung...).

Re: Apple sues Samsung: a complete lawsuit analysis

#26

Post by kedi_xed »

How does this compare to another field, say cars? I recently been car shopping for the first time, and the similarities between sedan models is amazing. Due to the nature of a car, and a sedan at that, it seems that all models have to follow a similar design for them to be functional and acceptable.

If a trade dress results in the monopoly of an industry, I assume then that the it would have to be avoided, or everyone pays Apple a small fee for use of the shape.

The issue as well is that many phones are all the same shape - rectangular, and many had rounded corners before Apple. Nokia have been using a XxX grid of icons for years before Apple. So essentially Apple is trying to trademark all of these elements put together as a trade dress issue.

But then Apple did take the time to invest and research the iPhone so they should take some of the benefits, but why sue so late?

Re: Apple sues Samsung: a complete lawsuit analysis

#27

Post by kedi_xed »

kenjackson wrote: post #2

Here's the LG Prada: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LG_prada_phone_private_pic... http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/12/15/the-lg-ke850-touchable... Announced Dec 2006. I'm not saying Samsung copied this phone, but if I was LG, I'd start to wonder. BTW, best article on the issue to date.

Brilliant.

Re: Apple sues Samsung: a complete lawsuit analysis

#28

Post by iamdave »

kenjackson wrote: post #23
cooldeal wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would Samsung want to get out of the contracts when they're making billions off them?

Because it could cost them even more. Apple is problematic for Samsung for two reasons: (1) This lawsuit and (2) Apple selling product that Samsung makes much higher margins on than displays and fabbing. Samsung ends up being in a MUCH better place if Apple becomes a niche player and Android and/or Windows Phone become the dominant platforms. If Samsung was able to get out of all contracts to Apple it could probably…

Samsung IS Apple in South Korea, and for what it's worth, an event like this is not by an stretch of the imagination going to hurt them. Especially when you consider Samsung has a lot more going for it than home appliances and electronics in the United States.

That tower in Dubai? Guess who built it.

Re: Apple sues Samsung: a complete lawsuit analysis

#29

Post by gonzo »

kenjackson wrote: post #12
hesdeadjim wrote: post #5

This has to make things a little awkward considering Samsung has been fabbing Apple's mobile chips.

And displays and Flash. I recall at one point Samsung made 40% of the world's Flash memory.

Micron and Intel are large suppliers,too.
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